Robotics start-ups in Europe take on Chinese giants

taipeitimes.com Jun 21, 2026

Robotics start-ups in Europe take on Chinese giants

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jun 21, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

European robotics start-ups are showcasing their innovations, including humanoid robots, at France's Vivatech trade fair, aiming to fill niches beyond what Chinese giants can offer. French company Enchanted Tools' Mirokai robot can communicate in over 50 languages and is already being used in hospitals and airports. The start-up hopes to mass-produce its models by the end of the year, with at least 60% of the robot manufactured in Europe. China dominates robotics production, with 87% of humanoid robots deployed worldwide last year coming from Chinese companies. European firms are catching up, with new players like Neura Robotics emerging.

💡 Why It Matters

· Europe's aging population and labor supply squeeze make robots a crucial economic pillar to sustain the continent.
· Neura Robotics' CEO sees robots as Europe's "last chance" to maintain its economy.

Read full article on taipeitimes.com

Why it’s nearly impossible to build a robot without China

Japan's long-standing lead in robotics has been overtaken by China, with Chinese manufacturers dominating the humanoid robot supply chain. Chinese start-ups, such as Unitree Robotics, are producing thousands of humanoids at a pace and price that competitors in Japan and elsewhere struggle to match. Chinese companies now supply key components, including sensors and joints, which were previously sourced from foreign suppliers. This shift has made it nearly impossible to build a humanoid robot without parts from Chinese companies.

💡 China's dominance in the humanoid robot market is a wake-up call for Japanese companies, which must now find niches where they can compete with Chinese rivals. By matching Chinese firms on price, Japanese companies risk sacrificing innovation and quality, potentially leading to a loss of market share and influence in the robotics industry.

techtimes.com · Jun 22

Automate 2026 Opens Monday: NVIDIA Pavilion Marks Humanoid Robot Shift to Production

Automate 2026 opens with a focus on humanoid robots, marking a shift to production with companies like Figure AI and Boston Dynamics achieving significant milestones. Figure AI's BotQ facility has increased its throughput by 24 times in under 120 days, delivering over 350 units. Boston Dynamics has begun commercial shipments of its electric Atlas, with its entire 2026 production run committed to Hyundai and Google DeepMind. The event features a NVIDIA-sponsored pavilion, highlighting the growth of humanoid robotics and its potential applications. Humanoid robots are generating interest across the automation ecosystem, with many attendees expected to learn about the technology's current state and future possibilities, driving innovation and development in the field.

💡 NVIDIA's investment in the pavilion signals its commitment to humanoid robots as a key part of its addressable inference market. The shift to physical AI enables manufacturers to deploy automation more effectively, overcoming traditional programming limitations and opening up new possibilities for robotics in manufacturing.

thecsrjournal.in · Jun 22

Figure AI Now Has More Robots Than Human Workers

Figure AI has announced that it now has more robots than human workers, with CEO Brett Adcock sharing a graph on social media platform X to illustrate the company's changing employee composition. The graph shows a significant increase in robot production, surpassing 100 units by the end of 2025 and reaching approximately 740 units by the second quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, the human workforce has expanded to between 650 and 660 employees. This trend reflects a broader shift towards automation in the technology industry, with major companies like Amazon and Meta also pivoting towards AI-driven solutions. The announcement follows months of discussions about the impacts of artificial intelligence on job markets, with approximately 119,462 tech industry jobs lost worldwide so far this year.

💡 Robot integration is outpacing human hiring at an unprecedented rate, underscoring the rapid advancement of automation in the tech sector. Elon Musk's vision of "amazing abundance for all" through humanoid robots is being tested by Figure AI's aggressive robotics expansion.

futurism.com · Jun 22

A New Store in Hong Kong Has No Human Employees, Just a…

A new convenience store in Hong Kong is being run by a single humanoid robot, Xiao Gai, built by Galbot, a Beijing-based AI and robotics firm. The store, located on the Hung Hom waterfront, is a 24-hour pop-up managed entirely by the robot, which can stock shelves, handle customer checkouts, and converse with customers in multiple languages. This is the first store of its kind in the city, and the Hong Kong Investment Corporation is backing the project, seeing it as a sign of AI's increasing presence in everyday life. The robot can sell various items, and its novelty is expected to boost foot traffic in the area. The store's success may lead to more robot-managed stores in the future, with plans to roll out 100 more in ten cities, highlighting the potential for robots to take over roles in the workplace, and raising questions about their ability to handle business operations.

💡 Robot-managed stores like this one could redefine the retail experience, making it more efficient and automated. By handling customer transactions and inventory management, robots like Xiao Gai may reduce labor costs and increase productivity.

therobotreport.com · Jun 21

Güdel to show grinding beyond stationary robots with vertical, horizontal motion at…

Güdel will demonstrate a grinding application at Automate 2026, showcasing a system that expands beyond traditional stationary robot constraints. The company's multi-axis motion systems provide reduced capital investment, enhanced process stability, and maximum uptime in harsh environments. Güdel's system allows a single robot to service a large work envelope, eliminating the need for multiple fixed units. The demo features a FANUC R-1000 robot with a grinding end-of-arm tool, mounted on a TrackMotion Vertical system integrated into a TrackMotion Floor track. This setup enables consistent contact pressure and path speed across massive surfaces. Güdel's solution aims to make automation feasible for large, difficult-to-reach parts. The company supplies automation products to various industries, including automotive and aerospace.

💡 Güdel's technology enables manufacturers to automate large, demanding grinding applications with increased reach and stability. By combining vertical and floor-mounted motion, customers can gain process consistency and overcome traditional robotic grinding challenges.

tekedia.com · Jun 21

Hyundai Moves to Take Full Control of Boston Dynamics from SoftBank in…

Hyundai Motor Group is acquiring the remaining 9.65% stake in Boston Dynamics from SoftBank Group for approximately $325 million, making the robotics firm a wholly owned subsidiary. The deal is expected to be approved on June 22 and marks the final stage of Hyundai's takeover of Boston Dynamics. This move deepens Hyundai's bet on automation and intelligent machines, underscoring the growing convergence between the automotive, AI, and robotics industries. Boston Dynamics has shifted toward commercial deployment in logistics and manufacturing environments. The acquisition provides Hyundai with greater flexibility in integrating robotics technologies across its businesses, enhancing its position as a broader mobility company.

💡 Full ownership of Boston Dynamics could enhance Hyundai's logistics operations and manufacturing capabilities. Boston Dynamics' robotics technologies may become a critical component of Hyundai's vision as a mobility company.